photo by: Gage Vota

St. Clairsville residents vote at the city’s Rec Center Tuesday.

Belmont County voters decided local races in Tuesday’s general election, and turnout was 25.4%, according to election night returns.

A race for three at-large seats on Martins Ferry City Council saw three candidates on the ballot, and one write-in candidate. James Agnew received 335 votes; Jim Schramm, 295; and Gus Harris, 151. The total for write-in candidate John R. Rodgers was not yet available late Tuesday night, but tallies showed just 121 write-in votes were cast in the race.

In St. Clairsville, a race for a 4th Ward St. Clairsville City Council seat saw Mike Kasper narrowly defeat Terra Butler. Kasper received 140 votes; and Butler, 111.

Voters selected four members to Barnesville Village Council from among five candidates. Top vote-getters were Brad English, 452 votes; Mark Lucas, 451; Leslie Tickhill, 232; and Tony Johnson, 219. Tim McKelvey captured 194 votes.

Residents also elected four members to Bethesda Village Council. Those chosen were Ruth Saffell, 139 votes; Jay Van Horn, 134; Shirley Lucas, 127; and Carol Ann Merritt, 112. There were 88 votes for Cynthia Foose.

A race for Yorkville Village Council saw five candidates on the ballot, with four to be elected. Winning candidates were Robert Zitzelsberger with 53 votes; David Spong, 46; Doug DelVecchio, 46; and Cindy Norman, 44. Bill Reasbeck had 20 votes.

Among races for county boards of education, a race for three seats on the Bellaire Board of Education saw four candidates. Jim LaRoche finished first with 803 votes; Susie Rataiczak, second with 728; and Jim Thoburn third with 622. Michael Wallace had 377 votes.

The Shadyside Board of Education had just two seats up for grabs, and three candidates on the ballot. Michael Derosa came out on top with 686 votes, with Joel Traylor having 671. Shannan Hildebrand was third with 571 votes.

Two board of education members were to be elected to the Switzerland of Ohio School Board of Education. Winners were Steve Jorris with 1,468 votes, and Ken Phillips with 1,471. Anthony McDaniel had 1,146 votes.